So this whole thing played out really fast. Early Friday evening, word hit the net that Al Pacino had become maybe the first major actor to ever leave an animated voice-over job over creative differences. Given it was Pacino, we were not really confused by this news as much as we are pointing at it and saying ‘really?’ with a bit of a grin. The legendary actor was meant to play the villainous lead of Eduardo in the Despicable Me sequel opposite Steve Carell. That created a bit of a problem considering release was set for July 3 although a savior has come to the rescue.
Interestingly enough, it is the much more low-key Benjamin Bratt. Why interesting? His Miss Congeniality co-star Sandra Bullock is voicing the villain for the Despicable Me spin-off due out in December 2014. Coincidence, probably, but maybe the folks at Illumination Entertainment just happen to be huge fans of the cult-favorite action comedy. The more plausible reason is Bratt’s involvement with the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs films in which he voices the role of Manny the Guatemalan cameraman. Deadline broke today’s story.
Al Pacino got a little homage during last night’s Vince Vaughn-hosted Saturday Night Live as Bill Hader portrayed the legendary actor in a variety of murderer biopics. From the Menendez Brothers to Amanda Knox, he does it all and Hader brings the goods. For those keeping score, Pacino did in deed get screen time play those first two (Jack Kavorkian and Phil Specter) but no so much the others.
Last time Al Pacino played a known an over-sensationalized figure in the media, the Godfather star won a Primetime Emmy so we are watching his next trip to biopic-ville very closely. His next effort comes from HBO yet again, and it cast the actor as music producer Phil Spector who fell from grace following the shooting of actress Lana Clarkson back in 2003. The movie, which also stars Helen Mirren and Jeffrey Tambor, makes its debut on March 24. An extended trailer hit the web earlier today, thus the honorable mention. 
In front of the third season finale of Boardwalk Empire this evening, HBO opted to show off a ‘Yearender’ piece that they put together to promote all of the offerings coming next year to the network. Usually the slot is used for a full-on trailer to plug whatever drama will take the Sunday night spot next; however, there does not really appear to be a strong offering in the winter so who is to argue about the choice that they made. On the plus side, audiences received their first looks at a variety of new original movies including footage of Matt Damon and Michael Douglas in Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra; Hilary Swank in Mary and Martha; Al Pacino and Helen Mirren in Phil Specter; and Benedict Cumberbatch in the mini-series Parade’s End. 
Today, we get our first look at the Fisher Stevens comedy Stand Up Guys. A trailer for the R-rated feature about aging con men has just hit the web much to our delight. The plot of this one has Al Pacino’s Val being released from prison after taking the fall for one of his former associates. Christopher Walken’s Doc meets him at the door where they proceed to have a bit of old fashioned gangster fun. Alan Arkin’s Hirsch joins in as the trio seek to compensate for decades of lost memories together in a short period of time.
It would appear that Christopher Walken is making a miniature comeback of sorts. The actor has not exactly been around a lot lately, but that will all change soon as he is scheduled to appear in the soon-to-release 
Despicable Me 2 has quite the vocal cast between the likes of Steve Carell, Al Pacino, and Jason Segel, but none of their parts are the focal point for the first teaser for the animated feature that hit the web earlier today. No, it doesn’t release this summer. In fact, if you want to see this film you will have to wait until July 3, 2013.
Here are four clips from 
Here is the official trailer of The Son of No One starring Pacino, Tatum, and more notables. There does not appear to be a firm release date on this one just yet. 
Here is a clip from Wilde Salome which is best described as a documentary-drama. The film takes audiences on a journey with Al Pacino as he unravels and re-interprets Oscar Wilde’s once banned and most controversial work, Salome. In the following clip, Pacino talks about his obsession with Oscar Wilde. 
Here is a red hot trailer that hit the web today for Adam Sandler’s next film, 